Where does “catalyst” come from?
Catalyst derives from English catalysis, from Latin -ista, from Ancient Greek -σις and λύω meaning to loosen, and κατά meaning down, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European ḱóm and ḱe.
catalyst (English): A substance that increases the rate of a chemical...
Definitions
- A substance that increases the rate of a chemical...
Ancestry of “catalyst”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | catalysis | The increase of the rate of a chemical reaction,... |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | κατάλυσις | dissolution, disbanding; lodging, quarters,... |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | καταλύω | "sense": loosen, unbind; "sense": destroy; I stay... |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | κᾰτᾰ- | fully; down; denoting motion downwards |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | κατά | |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | καταστερίζω | to place among the stars; I put among the stars |
| 7 | Ancient Greek | ἀστήρ | a celestial body; illustrious person; starfish |
| 8 | Proto-Hellenic | astḗr | star |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂stḗr | star |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂eHs- | to be/become dry; to burn, to glow; hearth |